Mobile wireless communications device with selective antenna load switching and related methods

ABSTRACT

A mobile wireless communications device may include at least two antennas having a different structure. The device may also include wireless transceivers, a load(s), signal processing circuitry, and a controller. The controller may be for selectively switching the signal processing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers, selectively switching a desired one of the antennas to the desired one of the wireless transceivers, and selectively switching a different one of the antennas to at least one of the loads.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon prior filed co-pending provisionalapplication No. 61/051,432 filed May 8, 2008, the entire subject matterof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communicationsdevices, and, more particularly, to antenna systems for mobile wirelesscommunications devices and related methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cellular communications systems continue to grow in popularity and havebecome an integral part of both personal and business communications.Cellular telephones allow users to place and receive voice calls mostanywhere they travel. Moreover, as cellular telephone technology hasincreased, so too has the functionality of cellular devices and thedifferent types of devices available to users. For example, manycellular devices now incorporate personal digital assistant (PDA)features such as calendars, address books, task lists, etc. Moreover,such multi-function devices may also allow users to wirelessly send andreceive electronic mail (email) messages and access the Internet via acellular network and/or a wireless local area network (WLAN), forexample.

Even so, as the functionality of cellular communications devicescontinues to increase, so too does the demand for smaller devices whichare easier and more convenient for users to carry. One challenge thisposes for cellular device manufacturers is designing antennas thatprovide desired operating characteristics within the relatively limitedamount of space available for the antenna.

External cell phone antennas are advantageous in that they are spacedapart from the user's head, which makes it easier for phonemanufacturers to comply with applicable specific absorption rate (SAR)requirements, for example. This is because the farther the radiatingelement of the cell phone antenna system is from the user, the lower theradiation exposure to the user. Yet, many users prefer internal antennasover external antennas, as external antennas are prone to catch onobjects and become damaged, for example. Yet, with the ever increasingtrend towards smaller cell phone sizes, for a relatively small phonehaving an internal antenna, this may place the antenna in relativelyclose proximity to the user's ear, which may make complying withapplicable SAR and/or hearing aid compatibility (HAC) requirementspotentially difficult for manufacturers. Further, the reduced space forthe antenna may make achieving desired signal characteristics difficult.

One exemplary mobile phone configuration that attempts to addressradiation concerns from an internal antenna is set forth in PCTPublication No. WO/2004/021511 A2. The device includes a casingincluding a first in-built driven antenna element extending a lengthalong a longest side of the casing. Either the portable communicationdevice or the case includes at least one passive beam directive elementdistanced from and generally extending along at least most of the samelength as the first in-built driven antenna element. Because of this,electromagnetic radiation generated by the first in-built driven antennaelement is enhanced in a direction away from a side of the casingintended to be facing a user.

Another mobile phone device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,315 toWilcox et al. The phone includes multiple radios and multiple antennaslocated in close proximity to each other, and uses a parallel tuningcircuit to optimize the isolation between the antennas. The paralleltuning circuit can include multiple impedance matching circuits to matchthe impedance in multiple frequency bands or isolating antennas.

Despite the existence of such configurations, further improvements maybe desirable in certain applications, particularly where the form factorof the device housing does not provide adequate space for sucharrangements. Moreover, as cellular wireless communication systemscontinue to improve, there is a need for relatively high performancemulti-band antennas for operation in EDGE, CODMA and/or WCDMA systems,for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is schematic block diagram of a mobile wireless communicationsdevice in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is schematic block diagram of a cellular implementation of themobile wireless communications device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating method aspects for using themobile wireless communications device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an exemplary multi-band antenna system for usein the mobile wireless communications device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are front and rear views, respectively, of a mobilewireless communications device housing for use with the antenna systemof FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an antennaload-switching embodiment for the antenna system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a mobile wireless communications device printedcircuit board including the components schematically illustrated in FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating method aspects of using a mobilewireless communications device in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating additional componentsthat may be included in the mobile wireless communications device ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present description is made with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which preferred embodiments are shown. However, manydifferent embodiments may be used, and thus the description should notbe construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and primenotation is used to indicate similar elements in alternativeembodiments.

Generally speaking, a mobile wireless communications device is disclosedherein which may include a plurality of antennas having differentstructures. The device may also include a plurality of wirelesstransceivers, a plurality of loads, signal processing circuitry, and acontroller. The controller may be for selectively switching the signalprocessing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers,selectively switching a desired one of the antennas to the desired oneof the wireless transceivers, and selectively switching a different oneof the antennas to at least one of the loads.

More particularly, at least one of the antennas may be a monopoleantenna. Also, at least one of the antennas may be an inverted Fantenna. Moreover, at least one of the antennas may be a multi-bandGlobal System for Mobile Communications (GSM) antenna. One or more ofthe antennas may also be a wideband code-division multiple access(WCDMA) frequency division duplex (FDD) band antenna. In addition, thecontroller may also selectively switch the different one of the antennasto an unused one of the wireless transceivers.

The device may further include a portable housing, and the antennas maybe carried on an inner surface of the portable housing. Furthermore, thedevice may also include a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by theportable housing, and the wireless transceivers, the plurality of loads,the signal processing circuitry, and the controller may be carried onthe PCB. Also, the housing may have opposing top and bottom ends andopposing first and second sides, and at least one of the antennas mayextend from the bottom end vertically upward toward the top end along atleast one of the first and second sides. Further, at least one of theantennas may be carried adjacent the bottom end of the portable housing.

By way of example, the plurality of loads may comprise a plurality ofimpedance elements. Also, the plurality of loads may include at leastone respective load for each of the antennas.

A method for operating a mobile wireless communications device, such asthe one described briefly above, may include using a controller toselectively switch the signal processing circuitry to a desired one ofthe wireless transceivers, and selectively switch a desired one of theantennas to the desired one of the wireless transceivers. The method mayfurther include using the controller to selectively switch a differentone of the antennas to at least one of the loads.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, a mobile wireless communicationsdevice 30, such as a cellular and/or wireless local area network (WLAN)device, for example, illustratively includes a multi-band antennasystem. However, it should be noted that multi-band operation need notbe required in all embodiments, and other wireless communicationsformats may also be used. The antenna system may be conceptuallyconsidered as a variable loading multi-band, multi-antenna system inthat it may provide relatively wide bandwidth and high system antennagain by using a non-active antenna element(s) as a passive or parasiticelement(s) for an active antenna element(s).

More particularly, the device 30 illustratively includes first andsecond wireless transceivers 31, 32 (e.g., cellular, WLAN, etc.), eachof which has one or more respective antenna elements 33, 34 associatedtherewith. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the antenna 33′ is aninternal element and, more particularly, a printed circuit element on aprinted circuit board (PCB) 41′ within a portable handheld housing 40′.However, such internal elements may take other forms such as flexcircuits, and may be carried on an inside surface of the housing 40′within the device 30′ instead of the PCS 41′, and such internal elementsneed not be printed conductors in all embodiments (e.g., they mayinclude wires, metal structures, etc.), as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art. In the exemplary embodiment, the antenna 33′ is amonopole antenna coupled between the cellular transceiver (XCVR) 31′ anda signal ground 43′, but other suitable antenna types (e.g., inverted F,etc.) may also be used, as will be discussed further below.

Also in the illustrated example, the antenna 34′ is an external antenna.That is, the antenna 34′ is at least partially carried on an outersurface of the housing 40′. While both an internal and an externalantenna are shown in the example of FIG. 2, it should be noted thatvarious combinations of antenna types may be used, e.g., all of theantennas may be internal, all may be external, or a combination ofinternal and external antennas may be used.

Additionally, the antenna 33′ is illustratively positioned at the bottomof the device 30′ (e.g., where the input microphone would typically belocated in a cellular phone) to further space the antenna element awayfrom the user's brain and ear for SAR reduction and/or HACcompatibility, respectively. However, the antenna elements 33′, 34′ maybe positioned elsewhere from the locations shown in the exemplaryembodiment. The antenna elements 33′, 34′ may be single or multiple-feedantennas depending upon the given configuration and/or application, aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Beginning at Block 50, a controller 37 selectively switches signalprocessing circuitry 38 (i.e., the circuitry which processes theinformation received or to be transmitted) to a desired one of thetransceivers 31 and 32 depending upon 33368-US-PAT (85106) the givenoperating configuration, at Block 51. For example, thetransceiver/antenna pair 31, 33 may be for operation in a firstoperating frequency band(s), while the transceiver/antenna pair 32, 34is for operation in a second (i.e., different) operating frequencyband(s), as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Thus, byswitching between the transceivers 31, 32, the controller 37 causes arespective one of the antenna elements 33, 34 to be the active element(i.e., the main radiating element) and the other to be a passive orparasitic element, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.Other dedicated parasitic elements (i.e., not connected to atransceiver) may also be used in some embodiments, if desired.

The controller 37 also selectively switches a desired one of theantennas 33, 34 to a desired one of the wireless transceivers 31, 32, atBlock 52. In the illustrated example, the controller 37 switches theantenna 33 to the transceiver 31 and the signal processing circuitry 38,making the antenna 33 the active antenna. However, in some embodimentsdifferent antennas could be switched to different transceivers, e.g.,either of the antennas 33, 34 could be switched to either of thetransceivers 31 or 32, if desired, although this additional switchingflexibility is not shown in the drawings for clarity of illustration.

Also associated with each of the antenna elements 33, 34 in theillustrated example are respective sets of first and second loads 35 a,35 b and 36 a, 36 b. The controller 37 further selectively switcheseither one or both of the first and second loads 35 a, 35 b to theantenna element 33 when it is in the passive mode, and the same is truefor the first and second loads 36 a, 36 b when the antenna element 34 isin the passive mode, at Block 53. The first and second loads 35 a, 35 band 36 a, 36 b may be suitably designed impedance elements (e.g., RCnetworks, RL networks, RLC networks, etc.) for the given implementation,for example, although other load configurations are also possible. Thatis, the first and second loads 35 a, 35 b and 36 a, 36 b may be fixedfor desired performance with respect to the given operating frequencybands of the antenna elements 34, 33, respectively. In some embodiments,respective sets of loads need not be used for each antenna 33, 34, thatis, the loads could be common to both antennas and switched thereto asdesired depending upon the given operating mode. Moreover, the loads 35a, 35 b and 36 a, 36 b may optionally be omitted in some embodiments.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the signal processing circuitry 38is connected to the transceiver 31, which is in turn connected to theantenna 33. Neither of the first or second loads 35 a, 35 b is connectedto the antenna 33 in the illustrated active mode of this antenna,although in some embodiments one or more of the loads could be connectedto the active antenna element, as will be appreciated by those skilledin the art. Moreover, with respect to the antenna element 34, which isin the passive mode (i.e., the signal processing circuitry 38 is notconnected thereto via the transceiver 32), the first load 36 a isconnected to the antenna 34 while the second load 36 b is not.

In other configurations, the second load 36 b may also (or instead) beconnected to the antenna element 34. Moreover, the transceiver 32 mayalso be selectively connected/disconnected as a load for the antennaelement 34 in the passive mode, and the same is true for the transceiver31 and antenna element 33. That is, the controller 37 may optionallyselectively switch any of the passive antennas to an unused transceiveras an additional load, if desired, at Block 54, thus concluding theillustrated method (Block 55). Thus, it will be appreciated thatdifferent combinations of loads (including the transceivers 31, 32) maybe connected to the antenna elements 33, 34 when they are in a passivemode to provide desired flexibility in shaping the signalcharacteristics of the active (radiating) antenna. Moreover, in someembodiments the antenna elements 33, 34 could be selectivelyconnected/disconnected from ground 43′ (see FIG. 2) when in the passivemode to provide a floating beam shaping element for the active antennaelement, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

It should be noted that the illustrated example is but one possibleembodiment of a variable load passive/active antenna system, and thatdifferent numbers of transceivers, passive and active elements, andloads may be used, and that more than one load (or no load) may beconnected to a given antenna element at a time. Furthermore, while theloads associated with a given antenna element will typically havedifferent characteristics or values, some loads within the system mayhave similar values (e.g., the first loads 35 a and 36 a may have a sameload value, etc.), although this need not be the case in allembodiments. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, all of the loads 35a′, 35 b′, 36 a′, 36 b′ have different respective values A, B, C, and D.

Generally speaking, desired performance of the parasitic element(s) maybe obtained by switching the loading associated with the parasiticantenna element(s). Again, the transceiver(s) associated with theparasitic antenna element(s) at its off condition (i.e., when in thepassive mode) may also be considered as another load for that particularparasitic element. As noted above, the controller 37 causes theparasitic antenna element to become a main or active antenna at adifferent band when the transceiver switches on, and the other antennaelement(s) becomes the passive or parasitic element. The controller 37may advantageously be implemented with one or more of a microprocessor,digital signal processor (DSP), memory, and/or associatedsoftware/computer instructions, for example, as will also be appreciatedby those skilled artisan.

The loading selection may be based upon applicable gain and return lossconditions, operating frequency bands, and applicable SAR and/or HACrequirements, as will be further appreciated by those skilled in theart. More particularly, the loads may be tuned or selected to providedesired operating characteristics for a given frequency band based uponthe applicable gain/return loss and/or SAR/HAC requirements. Also, itshould be noted that while separate loads are shown for each antennaelement in the present example for clarity of illustration, the loadchange between active and passive antenna modes may be accomplishedusing a single load with a tunable or selectable value.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7, an exemplary embodiment of a multi-band antennasystem 60″ which may be used in the mobile wireless communicationsdevice 30 is now described. The antenna system 60″ advantageouslyprovides coverage for a plurality of operating frequency bands, such asGSM/CDMA/WCDMA bands, for example, although operation with other bandsis also possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.The antenna system 60″ may therefore be used to achieve ultra-wide banddesign requirements by utilizing multiple antennas. Generally speaking,in this exemplary configuration the antennas have different structures.More particularly, the first antenna 33″ is a quad band inverted F GSMantenna, and the second antenna 34″ is a single band monopole WCDMAfrequency division duplex (FDD) band antenna. However, in otherembodiments the difference in antenna structure may be other thanfrequency type or antenna type. For example, the antennas may be of asame type (or operate in a same frequency band(s)), but be of differentsizes or shapes. Moreover, the antennas may have differentconfigurations, such as an internal vs. external antenna (see FIG. 2),printed element vs. a metallic or wire element, etc., as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art.

The antennas 33″, 34″ are strongly coupled together, and in theexemplary embodiment have a separation of less than 0.5 mm, althoughother separation distances may be used in different embodiments. As aresult of the multiple antenna configuration, operation in theGSMS50/900/1800/1900 and WCDMA 850/1900/2100 bands is advantageouslyprovided in the exemplary embodiment.

As noted above, the quad band antenna 33″ is a planar inverted F (PIFA)antenna, and it illustratively includes a folded or U-shaped bodyportion 80″ that defines a gap 81″ therein. First and second arms 82″,83″ extend outwardly from the body 80″ and define a gap 84″therebetween. The arm 82″ illustratively includes cut-outs or notches86″ to accommodate support structure in a device housing 70″, but theymay also be shaped for tuning purposes, as will be appreciated by thoseskilled artisan. The device housing 70″ illustratively has opposing topand bottom ends 100″, 101″, and opposing sides 102″, 103″, as seen inFIGS. 5A and 5B. The antenna 33″ is positioned at the bottom end 101″ asshown.

The exemplary FDD band antenna 34″ illustratively includes a firstelongate portion 90″ with cut-outs/notches 91″ therein that extendsalong the side 103″ of the housing 70″ from the bottom end 101″ towardthe top end 100″. A second elongate portion 92″ is generally parallel tothe first elongate portion 91″ and has a connector portion 93″therebetween which, along with the first and second elongate portions,generally resembles a backwards “J” shape. In the illustrated example,the second elongate portion 92″ is about ¼ of the length of the firstelongate portion 90″, although other lengths and configurations may alsobe used. Both the first and second elongate portions 90″, 92″ extendvertically along the length of the housing 70″ (see FIG. 7). A partialloop portion 93″ extends below the connector portion 93″, as shown. Theantennas 33″, 34″ may be single or dual feed antennas based upon thegiven embodiment.

As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the antennas 33′, 34′ are carried on aninner surface of the housing 70″, whereas the RF switches 71″, 72″,transceivers 31″, 32″, loads 35″, 36″, and associatedcontroller/processor circuitry are carried on the PCB 41″ (FIG. 7).However, in some embodiments one of both of the antennas 33′, 34′ mayalso be carried on the PCB or on an external portion of the housing 70″.

As noted above, the exemplary housing or frame 70″ for the antennas 33″,34″ is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. A block diagram of an exemplaryload-switching configuration for the antennas 33″, 34″ whichillustratively includes RF switches 71″, 72″ for the antennas 33″, 34″,respectively, is shown in FIG. 6. While the quad-band antenna 33″ is inoperation, the FDD band antenna 34″ is switched (i.e., connected) to theload impedance 36″. On the other hand, while the FDD band antenna 34″ isin operation, the quad-band antenna 33″ is switched (i.e., connected) tothe load impedance 35″. By selectively switching the antennas 33″, 34″to the load impedances 35″, 36″, desired radiated performance may beachieved. As discussed above, the loads 35″, 36″ are used to alter theload impedance of the parasitic coupling, so that when an appropriatecoupling configuration is used desired antenna performance is achieved,as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Again, the quad bandand FDD band radios (i.e., transceivers) 31″, 32″ may also beselectively switched to their respective antennas 33″, 34″ for thispurpose as well, as discussed above.

An exemplary layout of the antenna system 60″ and radio front endcircuitry on the PCB 41″ is shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the load 35′(L1) is open circuited, and the load 36″ (L2) is a shunt capacitor,although other load configurations may also be used. In someembodiments, the FOD band antenna 34″ may advantageously be a multi-bandantenna. In this case, the appropriate combination of the operatingfrequencies for each antenna 33″, 34″ may be selected to provide desiredover-the-air (OTA), SAR, and/or HAC performance, as will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 8, an exemplary method for operating a mobile wirelesscommunications device begins at Block 50′ and illustratively includesselectively switching the signal processing circuitry 38 (see FIG. 1) toa desired one of the wireless transceivers 31″, 32″, at Block 51′, andselectively switching a desired one of the antennas 33″, 34″ to thedesired one of the wireless transceivers, at Block 52′. The methodfurther illustratively includes selectively switching a different one ofthe antennas 33″, 34″ to at least one of the loads 35″, 36″, asdiscussed further above, at Block 53′, thus concluding the illustratedmethod (Block 55′).

Turning to FIG. 9, exemplary components that may be used in the device30 are now described with reference to a hand-held mobile wirelesscommunications device 1000. The device 1000 illustratively includes ahousing 1200, a keypad 1400 and an output device 1600. The output deviceshown is a display 1600, which is preferably a full graphic LCD. Othertypes of output devices may alternatively be utilized. A processingdevice 1800 is contained within the housing 1200 and is coupled betweenthe keypad 1400 and the display 1600. The processing device 1800controls the operation of the display 1600, as well as the overalloperation of the mobile device 1000, in response to actuation of keys onthe keypad 1400 by the user.

The housing 1200 may be elongated vertically, or may take on other sizesand shapes (including clamshell housing structures). The keypad mayinclude a mode selection key, or other hardware or software forswitching between text entry and telephony entry.

In addition to the processing device 1800, other parts of the mobiledevice 1000 are shown schematically in FIG. 9. These include acommunications subsystem 1001; a short-range communications subsystem1020; the keypad 1400 and the display 1600, along with otherinput/output devices 1060, 1080, 1100 and 1120; as well as memorydevices 1160, 1180 and various other device subsystems 1201. The mobiledevice 1000 is preferably a two-way RF communications device havingvoice and data communications capabilities. In addition, the mobiledevice 1000 preferably has the capability to communicate with othercomputer systems via the Internet.

Operating system software executed by the processing device 1800 ispreferably stored in a persistent store, such as the flash memory 1160,but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as a read onlymemory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, system software,specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarilyloaded into a volatile store, such as the random access memory (RAM)1180. Communications signals received by the mobile device may also bestored in the RAM 1180.

The processing device 1800, in addition to its operating systemfunctions, enables execution of software applications 1300A-1300N on thedevice 1000. A predetermined set of applications that control basicdevice operations, such as data and voice communications 1300A and1300B, may be installed on the device 1000 during manufacture. Inaddition, a personal information manager (PIM) application may beinstalled during manufacture. The PIM is preferably capable oforganizing and managing data items, such as e-mail, calendar events,voice mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM application is alsopreferably capable of sending and receiving data items via a wirelessnetwork 1401. Preferably, the PIN data items are seamlessly integrated,synchronized and updated via the wireless network 1401 with the deviceuser to corresponding data items stored or associated with a hostcomputer system.

Communication functions, including data and voice communications, areperformed through the communications subsystem 1001, and possiblythrough the short-range communications subsystem. The communicationssubsystem 1001 includes a receiver 1500, a transmitter 1520, and one ormore antennas 1540 and 1560. In addition, the communications subsystem1001 also includes a processing module, such as a digital signalprocessor (DSP) 1580, and local oscillators (LOs) 1601. The specificdesign and implementation of the communications subsystem 1001 isdependent upon the communications network in which the mobile device1000 is intended to operate. For example, a mobile device 1000 mayinclude a communications subsystem 1001 designed to operate with theMobitex™, Data TAC™ or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile datacommunications networks, and also designed to operate with any of avariety of voice communications networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDNA,WCDMA, PCS, GSM, EDGE, etc. Other types of data and voice networks, bothseparate and integrated, may also be utilized with the mobile device1000. The mobile device 1000 may also be compliant with othercommunications standards such as 3GSM, 3GPP, UMTS, etc.

Network access requirements vary depending upon the type ofcommunication system. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC networks,mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique personalidentification number or PIN associated with each device. In GPRSnetworks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber oruser of a device. A GPRS device therefore requires a subscriber identitymodule, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on aGPRS network.

When required network registration or activation procedures have beencompleted, the mobile device 1000 may send and receive communicationssignals over the communication network 1401. Signals received from thecommunications network 1401 by the antenna 1540 are routed to thereceiver 1500, which provides for signal amplification, frequency downconversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., and may also provideanalog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of thereceived signal allows the DSP 1580 to perform more complexcommunications functions, such as demodulation and decoding. In asimilar manner, signals to be transmitted to the network 1401 areprocessed (e.g. modulated and encoded) by the DSP 1580 and are thenprovided to the transmitter 1520 for digital to analog conversion,frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission tothe communication network 1401 (or networks) via the antenna 1560.

In addition to processing communications signals, the DSP 1580 providesfor control of the receiver 1500 and the transmitter 1520. For example,gains applied to communications signals in the receiver 1500 andtransmitter 1520 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gaincontrol algorithms implemented in the DSP 1580.

In a data communications mode, a received signal, such as a text messageor web page download, is processed by the communications subsystem 1001and is input to the processing device 1800. The received signal is thenfurther processed by the processing device 1800 for an output to thedisplay 1600, or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O device 1060.A device user may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages,using the keypad. 1400 and/or some other auxiliary I/O device 1060, suchas a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, or some other type ofinput device. The composed data items may then be transmitted over thecommunications network 1401 via the communications subsystem 1001.

In a voice communications mode, overall operation of the device issubstantially similar to the data communications mode, except thatreceived signals are output to a speaker 1100, and signals fortransmission are generated by a microphone 1120. Alternative voice oraudio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, mayalso be implemented on the device 1000. In addition, the display 1600may also be utilized in voice communications mode, for example todisplay the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call,or other voice call related information.

The short-range communications subsystem enables communication betweenthe mobile device 1000 and other proximate systems or devices, whichneed not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-rangecommunications subsystem may include an infrared device and associatedcircuits and components, or a Bluetooth™ communications module toprovide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices.

Many modifications and other embodiments will come to the mind of oneskilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it isunderstood that various modifications and embodiments are intended to beincluded within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A mobile wireless communications device comprising: a plurality ofantennas having different structures; a plurality of wirelesstransceivers; a plurality of loads; signal processing circuitry; and acontroller for selectively switching said signal processing circuitry toa desired one of said wireless transceivers, selectively switching adesired one of said antennas to the desired one of said wirelesstransceivers, and selectively switching a different one of said antennasto at least one of said loads.
 2. The mobile wireless communicationsdevice of claim 1 where at least one of said antennas comprises amonopole antenna.
 3. The mobile wireless communications device of claim1 wherein at least one of said antennas comprises an inverted F antenna.4. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein at leastone of said antennas comprises a multi-band Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) antenna.
 5. The mobile wireless communicationsdevice of claim 1 wherein at least one of said antennas comprises awideband code-division multiple access (WCDMA) frequency division duplex(FDD) band antenna.
 6. The mobile wireless communications device ofclaim 1 wherein said controller also selectively switches the differentone of said antennas to an unused one of said wireless transceivers. 7.The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 further comprisinga portable housing having an inner surface carrying said antennas. 8.The mobile wireless communications device of claim 7 further comprisinga printed circuit board (PCB) within said portable housing and carryingsaid wireless transceivers, said loads, said signal processingcircuitry, and said controller.
 9. The mobile wireless communicationsdevice of claim 7 wherein said portable housing has opposing top andbottom ends and opposing first and second sides; and wherein at leastone of said antennas extends from the bottom end vertically upwardtoward the top end along at least one of the first and second sides. 10.The mobile wireless communications device of claim 7 wherein saidportable housing has opposing top and bottom ends and opposing first andsecond sides; and wherein at least one of said antennas is carriedadjacent the bottom end of said portable housing.
 11. The mobilewireless communications device of claim 1 wherein said plurality ofloads comprises a plurality of impedance elements.
 12. The mobilewireless communications device of claim 1 wherein said plurality ofloads comprises at least one respective load for each of said antennas.13. A mobile wireless communications device comprising: a plurality ofantennas comprising a monopole antenna and an inverted F antenna; aplurality of wireless transceivers; a plurality of loads; signalprocessing circuitry; and a controller for selectively switching saidsignal processing circuitry to a desired one of said wirelesstransceivers, selectively switching a desired one of said antennas tothe desired one of said wireless transceivers, and selectively switchinga different one of said antennas to at least one of said loads.
 14. Themobile wireless communications device of claim 13 wherein said invertedF antenna comprises a multi-band Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM) antenna.
 15. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 13wherein said monopole antenna comprises a wideband code-divisionmultiple access (WCDMA) frequency division duplex (FDD) band antenna.16. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 13 wherein saidcontroller also selectively switches the different one of said antennasto an unused one of said wireless transceivers.
 17. A method foroperating a mobile wireless communications device comprising a pluralityof antennas having different structures, a plurality of wirelesstransceivers, a plurality of loads, and signal processing circuitry, themethod comprising: using a controller to selectively switch the signalprocessing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers;using the controller to selectively switch a desired one of the antennasto the desired one of the wireless transceivers; and using thecontroller to selectively switch a different one of the antennas to atleast one of the loads.
 18. The method of claim 17 where at least one ofthe antennas comprises a monopole antenna.
 19. The method of claim 17wherein at least one of the antennas comprises an inverted F antenna.20. The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the antennascomprises a multi-band Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)antenna.
 21. The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the antennascomprises a wideband code-division multiple access (WCDMA) frequencydivision duplex (FDD) band antenna.
 22. The method of claim 17 furthercomprising using the controller to selectively switch the different oneof the antennas to an unused one of the wireless transceivers.